Don't eat it! Don't eat it!

I saw an article in today's paper that reminded me of a joke I heard years ago. If you're on the sensitive side, you might want to skip the next paragraph, because it does contain a vulgarity.

The kindergarten teacher had prepared lessons on animals and the products we get from them. One day she served the class hamburgers, and she asked the children what kind of animal the hamburger came from. "A cow," they all shouted. The next day they had bacon, and she asked them what kind of animal bacon came from. "A pig," they all shouted. The next day they had venison, and she asked them what kind of animal venison came from. There was silence. Prompting them with a hint, the teacher said, "Sometimes, your mother calls your father this." One little boy in the back became very alarmed and shouted the warning to his friends, "Don't eat it! Don't eat it! It's a_ _ hole!"

May 23, I reported on Oncor's plan to install smart meters in every home in North Texas, and I entitled the post, "We're on the Slippery Slope." Well, we just slid a little further. TXU is giving away $200 thermostats to any customer who wants one. This, they say, will help customers to conserve energy when demand is high. Customers will be able to access the thermostat on the internet and adjust it even when they are away from home. Here's the "Don't eat it" part. TXU will also be able to access your thermostat, and they will cycle your a/c on and off when they determine usage is high. "We think we're going to be able to do this without people really noticing it . . ." said TXU spokesman Brian Tulloh. I don't know about you, but when the temp hits 101, I think I'm going to notice if my a/c isn't on!

Not to worry, you say, this is a voluntary program. Of course it is . . . for now. They're just preparing us for making it mandatory. And remember, you heard it here first!

On a related note, today's local newspaper reports that "unusually high temperatures and high electric power consumption that may reach record levels for June are prompting the state to appeal to the public for conservation." I looked back over the weather records so far for June. Our high temperature has been 92 degrees. Our average high has been 89 degrees. What's "unusually high" about 89 degrees past the middle of June in Texas? Actually nothing -- they're just paving the way for the next rate hike. I checked the average high temperature for this date for however many years they've been keeping weather records, and it's 90 degrees, so looks to me like we're just having an ordinary Texas summer.

So remember, folks --- DON'T EAT IT!